Schapiro: One race, two takes on Trump (“At numerous points in the evening, Northam paired state and federal issues, each time arguing that policies pushed by Trump and the Republican Congress have an immediate impact on Virginia, most notably on its economy.” This is indisputably correct.)

Today, the Northam for Governor campaign announced it will begin airing a new ad entitled “Enron Ed”.

Ed Gillespie’s career in lobbying has proven him to be the biggest gator in the DC swamp, pocketing millions of dollars helping wealthy corporations that harmed Virginians and sent jobs overseas.

Gillespie fought to make sure it was harder for students to afford college, and most egregiously he lobbied for Enron’s interests ahead of their massive scandal. Instead of fighting for the wellbeing of hard-working Virginians, Gillespie chose to line his pockets at Virginia’s expense.

“Ralph Northam and Ed Gillespie couldn’t be more opposite,” said Northam for Governor spokeswoman Christina Freundlich. “While Ralph Northam has spent his life in service of others as an Army doctor, volunteer children’s hospice medical director, pediatric neurologist, state senator, and lieutenant governor, Ed Gillespie has spent his career serving himself, lobbying for any special interest who will cut him a big check. Now he’s running to be Trump’s top lobbyist in Virginia. Voters won’t let Enron Ed near the Governor’s Mansion in November, they’ll send him back to K Street where he came from.”

The takeaway: Enron Ed is not lobbying for you. The ad will air as part of a substantial buy across the Commonwealth.

Video: President Obama speaks to Gates Foundation, blast GOP healthcare repeal effort, says climate change the “threat that may define the contours of this century more than any other, etc.’ Man, I want a real president again!